Dear Friend,
As the 118th Congress comes to a close, I would like to share a recap of our work on behalf of Georgia's 12th District and the nation. Though a divided government proved challenging, the House Republican majority made meaningful progress in setting our country on a new course—one built on the founding principles of freedom, prosperity, and individual liberty.
We have passed legislation that benefits American families to secure our border, unleash American energy, ensure parental rights in education, and deliver much-needed wins for the 12th District. As always, if you are in need of assistance, please contact one of my offices. I remain eternally grateful for the privilege of representing you in Congress!
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Prioritizing Constituent Service
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- 440+ constituent meetings
- 200,000+ correspondence with constituents
- 50+ tours of Georgia-12 small businesses, schools, farms, industries, and more
- 75+ speaking engagements
- 30+ district events
- 80+ letters of support
- 3,200+ constituent cases closed
- Over $14 MILLION returned to Georgia-12 constituents
- 400+ Capitol tours scheduled
- 100+ White House tours scheduled
- 25+ FBI tours scheduled
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Wins for Georgia's 12th District
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Lock and Dam Legislative Fix on its way to being SIGNED INTO LAW The House and Senate have both passed S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This bill includes language authorizing a full repair of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and requiring the pool level to be maintained at 114.5 feet. I was proud to draft this language with our local stakeholders and push it through the legislative process, and the next step is for President Biden to sign the bill into law!
Successful Completion of Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle Since being elected to Congress, I have visited Plant Vogtle on several occasions to witness various stages of progress throughout the Unit 3 and Unit 4 construction process. The successful completion of both units is a monumental achievement and makes Plant Vogtle the largest nuclear power station in the country.
Not only will the new units provide energy security for Georgia homes and businesses for decades to come, but this project has also contributed billions in economic impact and provided 800 permanent jobs for hardworking Georgians. I was proud to do my part at the federal level to see this project over the finish line, and I commend Southern Company, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power, and Dalton Utilities for their commitment to ensuring America's nuclear future starts in the 12th District of Georgia.
Securing Critical Funding for Fort Eisenhower and the Savannah River Site The House passed both the Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, with my support this Congress. The NDAA authorizes annual funding levels for the U.S. Armed Forces and sets expenditures for the Department of Defense (DOD). The importance of the NDAA cannot be overstated as it represents our commitment to the men and women in uniform and the safety of all Americans. I am also proud of the wins we secured in both bills which were signed into law: - Authorized full funding for the design and construction of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence’s Signal School at Fort Eisenhower and provided funding for the first phase of construction for FY2024
- Authorized over $1 billion for missions being carried out at the Savannah River Site
- Required plutonium pit production at the Savannah River Site and Los Alamos National Laboratory
Bon Air Upgrades Well Underway Following concerning reports about "unlivable conditions" at the Bon Air Apartments in Augusta, my office and I have been working for the last several years to secure significant upgrades to ensure residents have the quality living conditions they deserve.
In coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Redwood Housing Partners, and all parties involved, I am proud that we were able to deliver results for our community. Phase 1 of upgrades have been completed and phase 2 is now underway!
Disaster Aid and Economic Assistance for Farmers SIGNED INTO LAW Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented devastation to every county across Georgia's 12th District and exacerbated the dire economic crisis that our families and farmers are facing. I supported passage of legislation, which was signed into law, to help secure critical disaster aid as well as economic assistance for our farmers so they can continue to plant next year. I will never turn my back on the families, producers, and residents of the 12th District and am hopeful this effort will ensure our communities can continue to rebuild.
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Fulfilling Our Promises to the American People
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PASSED: H.R. 1, The Lower Energy Costs Act - H.R. 1 is House Republicans’ top legislative priority, delivering on a commitment to lower energy costs. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I was proud to work with my colleagues to craft this landmark legislation to jumpstart domestic energy production and reclaim American energy dominance.
PASSED: H.R. 2, The Secure the Border Act - The Biden-Harris Administration's open border policies have been disastrous to say the least. H.R. 2 is the strongest border security legislation in history. Border security is national security, and this bill has two simple yet fundamental goals: secure our border and curb illegal immigration.
PASSED: H.R. 5, The Parents' Bill of Rights - Parents have every right to know what is being taught to their children, to give consent for medical evaluations, and to be heard. While Washington Democrats and outside groups pushed to radically reshape our education system by injecting divisive concepts and curricula into our schools and classrooms, H.R. 5 ensures parents have a seat at the table.
PASSED: H.R. 5378, The Lower Costs, More Transparency Act - I have long advocated for restoring patient-centered, cost-effective, and market-driven solutions to our nation’s health care system to drive down costs. This bipartisan package increases price transparency throughout the health care system, addresses the rising cost of prescription drugs, and supports patients, health care workers, community health centers, and hospitals.
PASSED: H.R. 467, The HALT Fentanyl Act - Fentanyl-related substances are being manufactured by China and the cartels and pouring across our borders—flooding into our cities, communities, and neighborhoods in record numbers. H.R. 467 would permanently reschedule fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and give law enforcement the necessary tools to keep it off our streets and save American lives.
PASSED: H.R. 3799, The CHOICE Arrangement Act - H.R. 3799 aims to enhance the flexibility and affordability of healthcare options for small businesses. Included in the CHOICE Arrangement Act was the Association Health Plans Act, which I co-introduced, that would give small businesses and employers the ability to band together to improve their bargaining position to reduce healthcare costs for employees.
PASSED: The Fiscal Responsibility Act - The Fiscal Responsibility Act advanced much-needed, transformative reforms to curb spending. I have worked tirelessly to get these reforms enacted to return to fiscal sanity in Washington. This legislation was signed into law on June 3, 2023.
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Leading Legislation in the 118th Congress
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During the 118th Congress, I have sponsored nearly 20 pieces of legislation and cosponsored over 220 bills. More information on a few of the bills I introduced can be found below:
H.R. 2700, The Employee Rights Act - The bill seeks to modernize our nation’s labor policies to match the needs of the 21st century worker and workforce. H.R. 2700 represents the Republican vision for the future of the American workforce: promoting growth and innovation, ensuring that our laws protect workers rather than union bosses, and allowing Americans to take home more of the money they earn.
H.R. 5339, The Roll back ESG to Increase Retirement Earnings (RETIRE) Act - H.R. 5339 ensures workers, retirees, and families have confidence that their retirement security is protected, not jeopardized for political purposes or invested in risk, climate-related ESG funds that are proven to carry higher risk. This legislation was included in a package of bills that passed in the House.
H.R. 699, The Startup Act - The Startup Act supports American entrepreneurs by expanding access to programs that offer training and resources to individuals seeking to start their own businesses.
H.R. 3669, The Expanding Student Access to Mental Health Services Act - H.R. 3669 would provide school districts with increased flexibility in how they can use funds from an existing grant program under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to improve mental health services for students.
H.R. 6236, The Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act - The Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act seeks to modernize the inefficient procedures that hamper our nuclear energy expansion. Georgia's 12th District is leading our nation's nuclear future, and this bill was included in a bipartisan nuclear energy package that was signed into law.
H.R. 401, The American Science First Act - This legislation would close loopholes in federal research funding that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could otherwise exploit to finance their own research at the expense of the American taxpayer.
H.R. 1778, The Better Agriculture Resources Now (BARN) Act - The BARN Act would transfer responsibility for certifying employers’ program eligibility from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This legislation also modifies the filing deadline to extend greater flexibility to applicants, enacts strong reforms to combat visa overstays and fraud, and establishes clear housing requirements for H-2A workers.
H.R. 4320, The Truth in Employment Act - H.R. 4320 would amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to protect small businesses and their employees from a coercive tactic used by large unions known as “salting,” which makes small businesses targets of harassment campaigns designed to increase forced unionization.
H.R. 3298, The BEAD FEE Act - The BEAD FEES Act would improve transparency in the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment, or “BEAD,” Program—allowing accountability for application fees.
H.R. 3944, Renaming the Post Office in Mount Vernon, Georgia after Second Lieutenant Patrick Palmer Calhoun - Second Lieutenant Patrick Palmer Calhoun was an American patriot, Vietnam veteran, and born leader who couldn't be more deserving of having his name displayed on the U.S. Post Office in his hometown of Mount Vernon, Georgia. This legislation was signed into law on May 8, 2024.
H.R. 7578, The Promote Resilient Connectivity to Taiwan Act - This bipartisan legislation would direct the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) to submit a report to Congress containing an assessment of technologies available to increase the security and resiliency of the communications networks of Taiwan.
H. Res. 1022, a resolution expressing support for the designation of the month of March 2024 as "National March into Literacy Month"
H.J. Res. 142, Joint Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the Biden Department of Labor’s (DOL) finalized fiduciary rule
H.J. Res. 117, Joint Resolution of Disapproval to nullify the Biden-Harris EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) final rule for Fine Particulate Matter, otherwise known as PM 2.5 standards
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Exercising Vigorous Oversight
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I also led Members of Congress in sending 10 letters to various federal agencies and signed onto over 90 others. A few highlights from this year can be found below:
February 6, 2024: Congressman Allen Sends Letter to Redwood Housing Partners Relating to the Renovation and Management of the Bon Air Apartments in Augusta, Georgia
March 4, 2024: Allen Joins Georgia Republicans in Demanding Action Following the Tragic Death of Laken Hope Riley
June 28, 2024: Allen Leads Letter to USTR Urging Ambassador Tai to Expand Definition and Combat the Importation of Chinese-Subsidized Electric Vehicles
July 26, 2024: Allen Leads Letter to House and Senate Committee Leadership Demanding Lock and Dam Language Remain in Final WRDA Legislation
August 6, 2024: Allen, Davidson Lead Letter to FHFA Director to Reverse Harmful Efficiency Standards
September 19, 2024: Allen Leads Letter to Postmaster General Demanding Answers on Processing Absentee Ballots
September 30, 2024: Allen Joins the Georgia Delegation in Urging President Biden to Approve the State's Major Disaster Declaration Request
October 1, 2024: Allen Joins Letter to Congressional Leadership Calling for Immediate Support for Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
October 7, 2024: Rep. Allen Joins Colleagues in Calling on USDA to Provide Support for Farmers Following Hurricane Helene
December 5, 2024: Allen Co-Leads GA Delegation in Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Secure Governor Kemp's Request for Federal Disaster Assistance Following Helene
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As always, my office is here to help. If you'd like to email me, please click here.
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Sincerely,
Rick Allen Member of Congress
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